Cultural Affairs Commission

The Cultural Affairs Commission is an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator on matters affecting cultural development in Oakland.

News

Jul 20, 2022

Nonprofit Applications for City Grants to Hire Teaching Artists Available starting July 25

The City of Oakland announced that applications will be available on Monday, July 25, for the Creative Economies of Belonging: Jobs, Networks, Catalysts grant program. This one-time program will distribute grants to Oakland-based nonprofit organizations to restore teaching-artist jobs cut during the pandemic. The program guidelines and grant application will be posted at https://bit.ly/3P4dBUg on Monday, July 25, when the application portal opens. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Jun 02, 2022

City of Oakland Announces 10 New Cultural Strategists-in-Government

Today, the City of Oakland announced a new cohort of 10 Cultural Strategists-in-Government (CSIG) that will embed in seven different entities in the City. The program is a partnership between the City’s Cultural Affairs Division and the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation, with funding for 7 of the 10 individuals provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Related News »

Calendar of Meetings

Cultural Affairs Commission - 2022 Meeting Calendar

February 14, 2022 4:30-7:30 PM

March 28, 2022 4:30-7:30 PM

May 23, 2022 5:30-8:30 PM

July 25, 2022 5:30-8:30 PM

September 19, 2022 5:30-8:30 PM

November 28, 2022 5:30-8:30 PM

Pursuant to California Government Code section 54953(e), the Cultural Affairs Commissioners, as well as City staff, will participate via phone/video conference, and no physical teleconference locations are required.


There are two opportunities to make a comment during meetings -Public Comment and Open Forum.

How to Make a Comment:

There are three ways to submit public comments.

• eComment. To send your comment directly to Cultural Affairs Commission staff BEFORE the meeting via email NBalram@staging.oaklandca.gov

• To comment by Zoom video conference, click the “Raise Your Hand” button to request to speak when Public Comment is being taken. You will be permitted to speak during your turn, allowed to comment, and after the allotted time, re-muted. Instructions on how to “Raise Your Hand” is available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205566129 - Raise-Hand-In-Webinar.

• To comment by phone, please call on one of the above listed phone numbers. You will be prompted to “Raise Your Hand” by pressing “*9” to speak when Public Comment is taken. You will be permitted to speak during your turn, allowed to comment, and after the allotted time, re-muted. Please unmute your self by pressing *6. If you have any questions, please email Neha Balram, Program Analyst for the Cultural Affairs Commission at NBalram@staging.oaklandca.gov.

* Due to Alameda County’s Shelter-In-Place Order, in-person meetings are currently suspended. We are monitoring the Orders and will update this web page when in-person meetings are allowed to resume. In the meantime, all of the Cultural Affairs Commission's public meetings will be held via Zoom. The Agenda Packet and Zoom information will be provided on the Friday preceding the meeting.

About

The Cultural Affairs Commission is an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator on matters affecting cultural development in Oakland. The Commission acts as ambassadors and advocates for arts and culture in the city.

Membership: 11 commissioners; 10 regular appointments and 1 appointment selected from the Public Art Advisory Committee

No person shall be appointed to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Time Commitment: Significant time commitment anticipated for both meeting preparation and attendance. Regular meetings in 2022 will be held in February, March, May, July, September, and November at 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Additional "Special Meetings" may be called and members are expected to participate on an ad hoc team. Note: Commissioners are unpaid volunteers.

Current Members

Diane Sanchez (Chair)

Kev Choice (Vice Chair)

Jennifer Easton

J. K. Fowler

Michelle Mush Lee

Shannon Price

Vanessa Whang

Theo Aytchan Williams


Please email Neha Balram at nbalram@staging.oaklandca.gov with questions

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